Transmission system operators announce completion of synchronization with Ukraine

Continental European transmission system operators announced that Ukraine’s transmission system operator Ukrenergo had met the key technical requirements needed to permanently connect the power systems of continental Europe and Ukraine. The connection will significantly increase export capacity from continental Europe to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been working intensively to prepare its power system for cooperation and interconnection since Russia’s annexation of Crimea. One of the aims of this effort is to permanently end cooperation with Russia. Ukrainian energy companies have been taking concrete steps since 2017. Ukraine has invested around EUR 700 million in upgrading its infrastructure.

The companies launched the synchronization project with Ukrenergo in 2017 by signing an agreement on the conditions for the future interconnection of Ukraine’s power system with that of continental Europe. Today’s announcement signals that the requirements set out in the agreement have been fully met.

Emergency synchronization was achieved as early as March 2022. This was a sign of solidarity between continental European transmission system operators and Ukrenergo. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) also provided long-standing support for the project’s completion.

ENTSO-E support and increased capacity limits

“I am confident that this achievement will significantly increase the flexibility and reliability of our grid’s operation and create the conditions for expanded cooperation,” said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of Ukrenergo. “It is the result of many years of persistent work, which has been particularly challenging since the outbreak of the full-scale war. We are grateful to ENTSO-E for its continued support and confidence throughout the process.”

Continental European transmission system operators have also decided to increase the capacity limit for electricity trading from continental Europe to Ukraine and Moldova. The new capacity limit will be 1,700 megawatts, based on grid security and stability simulations. This is an increase of 500 MW compared with the previous limit.

“ENTSO-E welcomes the new level of cooperation between continental European transmission system operators and Ukrenergo. This development not only enhances regional energy security, but also supports a more integrated and efficient energy market. It also underscores our ongoing efforts to ensure a resilient and integrated electricity grid and promote cooperation among European transmission system operators,” said ENTSO-E President Zbyněk Boldiš.